I’M OK UNDER SMITH
Clarke pledge on Test captain talk
INJURY- DOGGED Australian captain Michael Clarke says he would have no problem playing under the Test leadership of stand-in skipper Steve Smith.
Working furiously to prove his fitness for the World Cup, Clarke has found himself battling on another front after a report claimed teammates had moved on and preferred the leadership of the younger Smith.
Clarke yesterday insisted his relationship with Australian teammates was “exceptional”.
Eight years Clarke’s junior, Smith enjoyed enormous success after taking over as Test skipper when Clarke suffered a hamstring injury requiring surgery.
He also made a clean sweep of the three major Australian cricket awards at the Allan Border Medal ceremony last week.
Meanwhile, Clarke’s long-term back problem will continue to cast an unwelcome cloud of uncertainty around the batting great.
Clarke said he would be happy to play under Smith if it was decided that the younger man should retain the captaincy even when he returned.
“Most definitely I would,” Clarke told Triple M in Brisbane.
“I feel for Smithy because I sat in his shoes when a lot of the media were calling for (former captain) Ricky Ponting (to go).
“It’s certainly not personal between Smithy and I. We’ve been friends for a long time and we’ll continue to be.
“The people that sit above both him and I will make their decisions. Whatever they feel are the best 11 players, they will pick that 11.
“Whoever they feel is the best captain for the team, then they’ll pick that.”
Asked about the Fairfax report that claimed teammates preferred Smith as skipper, Clarke expressed bemusement.
“I’d like to know where it’s coming from,” he said.
“It’s obviously disappointing because I haven’t been around the team.